Event-based responder dispatch

ABSTRACT

Dispatch-aiding communications between computing devices of a responder and a dispatch unit include a computing device of the responder determining that an event occurred, automatically sending an indication of the event to a computing device of the dispatch unit, receiving a request for information from the computing device of the dispatch unit, obtaining the information requested by the computing device of the dispatch unit, and sending the information requested by the computing device of the dispatch unit to the computing device of the dispatch unit. The computing device of the dispatch unit sends the request for information to the computing device of the responder in response to receiving the indication of the event.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This summary is not intended to identify key features ofthe claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid indetermining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

In one embodiment, a method of communicating between a responder and adispatch unit includes a computing device of the responder determiningthat an event occurred where the event is associated with the responder,automatically sending an indication of the event to a computing deviceof the dispatch unit in response to determining that the event occurred,receiving a request for information from the computing device of thedispatch unit, obtaining the information requested by the computingdevice of the dispatch unit, and sending the information requested bythe computing device of the dispatch unit to the computing device of thedispatch unit. The computing device of the dispatch unit is configuredto send the request for information to the computing device of theresponder in response to receiving the indication of the event.

In one example, the information requested by the computing device of thedispatch unit includes live video and sending the information requestedby the computing device of the dispatch unit includes streaming the livevideo from the computing device of the responder to the computing deviceof the dispatch unit. In another example, obtaining the informationrequested by the computing device of the dispatch unit includes thecomputing device of the responder enabling a camera associated with theresponder and receiving the live video from the enabled camera.

In another example, the method further includes the computing device ofthe responder adding metadata to the information requested by thecomputing device of the dispatch unit prior to sending the informationrequested by the computing device of the dispatch unit. In anotherexample, the metadata includes one or more of a dispatch record number,an identifier of a responder agency, a location, or a category of therequested information.

In another example, the method further includes the computing device ofthe responder receiving a request to enable or disable at least onedevice associated with the responder, determining that the request toenable or disable at least one device was sent by an authorized sender,and enabling or disabling the at least one device. In another example,the at least one device includes at least one of a camera, a microphone,a weapon, a light bar, or a safety device.

In another example, the event includes one or more of a heart rate ofthe responder exceeds a threshold, a safety device is disabled, agunshot sound is detected, the responder is determined to benonresponsive, the responder presses a panic button, the officer entersinformation into the computing device of the responder, or the computingdevice of the responder arrives at a particular location or event.

In another embodiment, a non-transitory computer readable medium hasinstructions embodied thereon for managing a plurality of responders,where each of the plurality of responders has a computing device. Theinstructions, in response to execution by a dispatch computing device,cause the dispatch computing device to determine that the computingdevices of the plurality of responders are located in proximity to alocation or event, determine a hierarchy of the plurality of responders,send an indication of the hierarchy to each of the computing devices ofthe plurality of responders, and establish a communication link betweenthe computing devices of the plurality of responders. The computingdevices of the plurality of responders are configured to communicatewith each other via the communication link based on the hierarchyreceived from the dispatch computing device.

In one example, the plurality of responders includes responders fromdifferent responder agencies or different organizations of a responderagency.

In another example, the instructions, in response to execution by thedispatch computing device, further cause the dispatch computing deviceto receive an indication of a subset of the plurality of responders andsend information to one or more computing devices associated with theplurality of responders in the subset.

In another example, the instructions, in response to execution by thedispatch computing device, further cause the dispatch computing deviceto receive, from the computing devices of the plurality of responders,biometric data about the plurality of responders. In another example,the biometric data includes indications of stress levels of theplurality of responders.

In another example, the instructions, in response to execution by thedispatch computing device, further cause the dispatch computing deviceto dispatch one or more of the plurality of responders to a location,where the indications of stress levels of the plurality of respondersindicate that the a stress level of each of the one or more of theplurality of responders is below a threshold stress level. In anotherexample, the instructions, in response to execution by the dispatchcomputing device, further cause the dispatch computing device todetermine, based on the indications of stress levels of the plurality ofresponders, that a stress level of a first responder of the plurality ofresponders is above a threshold and to dispatch a second responder ofthe plurality of responders to a location of the first responder inresponse to determining that the stress level of the first responder isabove the threshold.

In another example, the instructions, in response to execution by thedispatch computing device, further cause the dispatch computing deviceto receive responder status information from the computing devices ofthe plurality of responders and to display an indication of theresponder status information for at least one responder of the pluralityof responders. In another example, the displayed indication of theresponder status includes an indication of one or more of whether the atleast one responder is inside or outside of a vehicle, whether hardwareof the at least one responder is activated, whether a light bar of theat least one responder is active, or whether a stress level of the atleast one responder exceeds a threshold.

In another example, the instructions, in response to execution by thedispatch computing device, further cause the dispatch computing deviceto receive, from one of the computing devices of the plurality ofresponders, a request to activate cameras within a geographic range andto activate the cameras within the geographic range in response toreceiving the request to activate the cameras. In another example, theinstructions, in response to execution by the dispatch computing device,further cause the dispatch computing device to send an alert to one ormore of a supervisor of a responder associated with the one of thecomputing devices or at least one of the plurality of responders inresponse to receiving the request to activate the cameras.

In another embodiment, a computing device for communicating between aresponder and a dispatch unit includes a processor and a computerreadable medium having instructions embodied thereon. The instructions,in response to execution by the processor, cause the computing device todetermine that an event occurred where the event is associated with theresponder, automatically send an indication of the event to a dispatchcomputing device in response to determining that the event occurred,receive a request for information from the computing device of thedispatch computing device, obtain the information requested by thecomputing device of the dispatch unit, and send the informationrequested by the dispatch computing device to the dispatch computingdevice. The dispatch computing device is configured to send the requestfor information to the computing device in response to receiving theindication of the event,

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of thisinvention will become more readily appreciated as the same become betterunderstood by reference to the following detailed description, whentaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of a system for communication betweencomputing devices of responders via a network, in accordance with theembodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 2 depicts an embodiment of capabilities of a computing devicedepicted in FIG. 1, in accordance with embodiments of computing devicesdisclosed herein;

FIG. 3 depicts an embodiment of a method for a computing device of aresponder to facilitate communication between a responder and a dispatchunit, in accordance with embodiments of computing devices disclosedherein;

FIGS. 4A to 4C depict an embodiment of execution of the method 200depicted in FIG. 3, in accordance with embodiments of computing devicesdisclosed herein;

FIGS. 5A and 5B depict an embodiment of a dispatch computing devicemanaging responders at a location or event, in accordance withembodiments of computing devices disclosed herein;

FIG. 6 depicts an embodiment of a method performed by a dispatchcomputing device to manage a plurality of responders, in accordance withembodiments of computing devices disclosed herein;

FIG. 7 depicts an embodiment of a system for providing biometric data toa dispatch computing device, in accordance with embodiments of computingdevices disclosed herein;

FIGS. 8A and 8B depict an embodiment of a dispatch computing deviceusing biometric data about responders to manage the responders, inaccordance with embodiments of computing devices disclosed herein;

FIG. 9 depicts an embodiment of a system that displays information foruse by a dispatcher, in accordance with embodiments of computing devicesdisclosed herein;

FIGS. 10A to 10C depict an embodiment of a dispatch computing deviceused to manage responders, in accordance with embodiments of computingdevices disclosed herein;

FIG. 11 depicts a block diagram that illustrates aspects of anillustrative computing device appropriate for use in accordance withembodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure are generally directed totechniques and tools for communicating between a computing device of aresponder and a computing device of a dispatch unit. Legacycommunication systems allow responders to communicate. For example, manylaw enforcement departments use radios to communicate live audio betweenlaw enforcement officers (e.g., officers on duty, their supervisors,dispatchers, etc.). However, legacy communication systems have manydownfalls. For example, legacy communication systems are manuallyactivated, such as in the case pressing a button during audiotransmissions. Manual activation of communication systems takesresponders' time and attention away from other matters. For example, ifa police officer sends a radio communication while driving to pursue asuspect, some time and attention will be diverted away from driving toactivate the communication system and send a transmission. In anotherexample, a police officer may draw a weapon to deter a threat and not beable to activate the communication system without diverting attentionaway from deterring the threat. In this last example, deterring thethreat with the weapon may prevent the police officer from sending acommunication requesting backup even though requesting backup may be anurgent need of the police officer. In another example, legacycommunication systems (e.g., radio communication systems) typicallyallow for only one user to transmit information at one time. If tworesponders send competing transmissions, generally the two transmissionscancel each other out and neither transmission is heard.

In various embodiments disclosed herein, systems and methods ofcommunication by and between computing devices of responders anddispatch units are discussed. A responder is any individual that is partof an agency that responds to particular situations. Examples ofresponders include law enforcement officials, firefighting officials,paramedics, private security personnel, private responders (e.g., towtruck drivers and roadside assistance personnel), and the like. Lawenforcement officials include police officers, sheriffs and sheriffdeputies, state patrol officers, federal agency officers (e.g., FederalBureau of Investigation agents, Central Intelligence Agency agents,Transportation Security Administration officers, etc.), members of theNational Guard, members of the armed forces, and the like. Examples ofresponders also include supervisors (e.g., police sergeants) anddispatchers of other responders. Examples of responder agencies includepolice departments, sheriff offices, fire departments, federal agencies,private companies of private security personnel, private responders, andthe like.

A dispatch unit coordinates actions of responders. In one example, adispatch unit includes computing devices usable to dispatch responders,such as to dispatch responders to particular events. Examples ofdispatch units include police dispatch units that dispatch policeofficers, fire dispatch units that fire fighters and and/or paramedics,private security offices that dispatch private security personnel, andthe like.

In one or more embodiments disclosed herein, a computing device of aresponder determines that an event occurred and automatically sends anindication of the event to a computing device of a dispatch unit. Thecomputing device of the dispatch unit sends the request for informationto the computing device of the responder in response to receiving theindication of the events and the computing device of the responderobtains the requested information and sends it back to the computingdevice of the dispatch unit. When certain events occur, these exampleembodiments allow a dispatch unit to be alerted to the event and to gainmore information about the event without the responder interacting withthe computing device or any other communication system.

In one or more other embodiments disclosed herein, a dispatch computingdevice determines that computing devices of responders are located inproximity to a location or event, determines a hierarchy of theplurality of responders, and sends an indication of the hierarchy tocomputing devices of the responders. The dispatch computing device alsoestablishes a communication link between the computing devices of theresponders and the computing devices of the responders are configured tocommunicate with each other via the communication link based on thehierarchy received from the dispatch computing device. This allowsresponders to communicate with other responders in a hierarchy even whenthe responder is not aware of the hierarchy. For example, a determinedhierarchy may include responders from multiple agencies who are inproximity to a location or event. Even if the responder does not knowthe hierarchy, the responder can send communications based on thehierarchy (e.g., to other responders under the responder in thehierarchy, to other responders at the same level as the responder in thehierarchy, to other responders above the responder in the hierarchy,etc.). In addition, this also allows responders to communicate withresponders from other responder agencies in the hierarchy whentraditional communication systems (e.g., voice radios) are notconfigured to allow inter-agency communications.

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth inorder to provide a thorough understanding of illustrative embodiments ofthe present disclosure. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art,however, that many embodiments of the present disclosure may bepracticed without some or all of the specific details. In someinstances, well-known process steps have not been described in detail inorder not to unnecessarily obscure various aspects of the presentdisclosure. Further, it will be appreciated that embodiments of thepresent disclosure may employ any combination of features describedherein. The illustrative examples provided herein are not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the claimed subject matter to the precise formsdisclosed.

FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of a system 100 for communication betweencomputing devices of responders via a network 102. The system includes aresponder 110 that has a computing device 112 that is capable ofcommunicating via the network 102. In some embodiments, the network 102is a wireless communication network using one or more wirelesscommunication protocols, such as WiFi, 2G, 3G, 4G, LTE, WiMAX,Bluetooth, and the like. In the depicted embodiment, the computingdevice 112 includes a communication application 114 that includesinstructions that cause the computing device 112 to establish acommunication link between computing devices of other responders via thenetwork 102.

The system 100 also includes responders 120, 130, 140, and 150. Each ofthe responders 120, 130, 140, and 150 has one of computing devices 122,132, 142, and 152 that is capable of communicating via the network 102.Each of the computing devices 122, 132, 142, and 152 includes one of thecommunication applications 124, 134, 144, 154 that includes instructionsthat cause the computing devices 122, 132, 142, and 152 to establish acommunication link between computing devices of other responders via thenetwork 102.

In the depicted embodiment, the system 100 also includes a dispatch unit160 that includes a computing device 162. In some examples, thecomputing device 162 includes one or more of a server, a desktopcomputer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, and the like. Thecomputing device 162 is capable of communicating via the network 102.The computing device 162 includes a communication application thatincludes instructions that cause the computing device 162 to establish acommunication link between computing devices of other responders via thenetwork 102. In one embodiment, the computing device 162 is used by aresponder, such as a dispatcher, a supervisory responder, or any othertype of responder.

In some embodiments, each of the computing devices 112, 122, 132, 142,152, and 162 includes one or more of a cell phone, tablet computer,smart wearable (e.g., a smart watch), a laptop computer, a desktopcomputer, and the like. In one example, the computing devices 112, 122,132, 142, and 152 are personal devices of the responders 110, 120, 130,140, and 150 and are not issued by any responder agency of theresponders 110, 120, 130, 140, and 150. In that case, the communicationapplications 114, 124, 134, 144, and 154 are configured to enablecommunication between the personal computing devices 112, 122, 132, 142,and 152 of the responders 110, 120, 130, 140, and 150 with each otherand with computing devices of one or more responder agencies, such ascomputing device 162.

In another example, when communicating via the network 102, thecomputing devices 112, 122, 132, 142, 152, and 162 are capable ofsending communications directly to another of the computing devices 112,122, 132, 142, 152, and 162 (i.e., direct communication), to a subset ofthe computing devices 112, 122, 132, 142, 152, and 162 (i.e., selectivecommunication), or to all of the computing devices 112, 122, 132, 142,152, and 162 (i.e., broadcast communication). In some embodiments, asdiscussed in greater detail below, communications are sent between oneor more of the computing devices 112, 122, 132, 142, 152, and 162 via acommunication link based on a priority rank among at least two of theresponders 110, 120, 130, 140, and 150.

In some embodiments, the responders 110, 120, 130, 140, and 150 are allassociated with the same responder agency. Examples of responders fromthe same responder agency include police officers from the same policedepartment, firefighters from the same fire department, private securitypersonnel from the same organization, and the like. In otherembodiments, at least some of the responders 110, 120, 130, 140, and 150are associated with different responder agencies. Examples of respondersfrom different responder agencies include police officers from onepolice department and police officers from another police department,state patrol officers and sheriffs deputies, federal agency agents andmembers of the armed forces, and the like.

An embodiment of the capabilities of the computing device 112 isdepicted in FIG. 2. As described above, the computing device 112includes the communications application 114 and is capable ofcommunicating via the network 102. The computing device 112 is alsocapable of communicating with any number of responder devices 116 a-n.Examples of the responder devices 116 a-n include devices worn orcarried by the responder 110, such as an on-body camera, a conductedelectrical weapon (CEW), a firearm holster, an on-body microphone, aradio, and the like. Other examples of the responder devices 116 a-ninclude devices associated with a vehicle of the responder 110, such asa light bar, a dashboard camera, a microphone, an in-vehicle sensor, andthe like. The responder devices 116 a-n can include any other deviceassociated with the responder 110.

In some embodiments, the communications application 114 includesinstructions that, when executed, cause the computing device 112 to sendcommunications via the network 102 to computing devices of otherresponders. In some embodiments, the communications include informationprovided by at least one of the responder devices 116 a-n. In someexamples, the communication can include video from an on-body camera,audio from an on-body microphone, and the like. In some embodiments, thecommunication can include information indicative of a status change ofthe responder devices 116 a-n. In some examples, the communicationincludes an indication that a light bar of a vehicle has been activated,an indication that a holster has been unlocked to allow removal of afirearm, and the like. In other examples, the responder devices 116 a-ninclude one or more biometric sensors configured to generate biometricdata about the responder 110, such as a heart rate, body temperature,blood pressure, and the like. In other embodiments, the communicationcan include information from the computing device 112. In some examples,the communication includes audio captured by a microphone of thecomputing device 112, text entered into the computing device 112, andthe like.

In another embodiment, the communications application 114 includesinstructions that, when executed, cause the computing device 112 toprocess information prior to sending it via the network 102. In oneexample, the communications application 114 causes the computing device112 to reduce a resolution of the information (e.g., pictures, recordedvideo, video streams, etc.) prior to sending the information via thenetwork 102. In another example, the communications application 114causes the computing device 112 to tag the information with metadata(e.g., a time of capture of the information, a location of capture ofthe information, etc.) prior to sending the information via the network102. In another example, the communications application 114 causes thecomputing device 112 to compile multiple forms of information (e.g.,text and images) into a single transmission via the network 102.

The depiction in FIG. 2 includes an embodiment of the computing device112. However, this embodiment is not limited only to computing device112. Any of the other computing devices described herein, such ascomputing devices 122, 132, 142, 152, and 162, may have similarcapabilities to communicate via the network 102 and to communicate withresponder devices associated with the computing devices.

An embodiment of a method 200 for a computing device of a responder tofacilitate communication between a responder and a dispatch unit isdepicted in FIG. 3. At block 202, the computing device (e.g., one ofcomputing devices 122, 132, 142, 152) monitors for inputs. In someexamples, the computing device monitors for inputs from responderdevices (e.g., responder devices 116 a-n), such as inputs indicatingbiometric data about the responder, statuses of the responder devices(e.g., holster open or closed, light bar on or off, etc.), and the like.In another example, the computing device monitors for inputs directlyfrom one or more components of the computing device, such as sound via amicrophone of the computing device, an image or images via a camera ofthe computing device, a user input via an input mechanism of thecomputing device, and the like. In another embodiment, the computingdevice monitors for a signal from another device (e.g., a gunshot soundmonitor) that is in communication with the computing device. At block204, the computing device receives an input. In some examples, thecomputing device receives an input from one of the responder devices orthe computing device receives an input directly from one or morecomponents of the computing device.

At block 206, the computing device decides whether the input isindicative of a particular event. In some examples, inputs may bebinary, such as indications that a holster is open or closed,indications that a light bar is on or off, and the like. In otherexamples, inputs may not be binary and the computing device processesthe input to determine whether the input is indicative of a particularevent. In one example, the computing device receives sound via amicrophone and processes the received sound to determine whether thereceived sound is indicative of a particular event (e.g., a gunshot). Inanother example, the computing device receives biometric data about theresponder from one or more biometric sensors and processes the biometricdata to determine whether a stress level of the responder exceeds astress threshold. If, at block 206, the computing device determines thatthe input is not indicative of a particular event, then the methodreturns back to block 202 to monitor for additional inputs. However, if,at block 206, the computing device determines that the input isindicative of a particular event, then the method proceeds to block 208.

At block 208, the computing device sends an indication of the particularevent to a dispatch unit computing device. In one embodiment, thecomputing device is configured to automatically send the indication ofthe particular event to the dispatch unit computing device in responseto determining that the input is indicative of the particular event.Automatically sending the indication permits the dispatch unit computingdevice to be informed of the event without the responder or any otheruser interacting with the computing device. Automatic sending may bebeneficial in circumstances when the responder's attention is or shouldbe focused elsewhere, such as when the responder activates a light bar,when the responder opens a holster to remove a weapon, and the like. Inone embodiment, the computing device sends the indication to thedispatch unit computing device via a network, such as a cellularnetwork, a WiFi network, a local area network, any other network, or anycombination thereof.

At block 210, the computing device receives a request for informationfrom the dispatch computing device. In some embodiments, the request forinformation includes a request for data from the computing device or aresponder device in communication with the computing device. In oneexample, the request for information includes a request for a live videostream from a camera, such as a camera positioned on the body of theresponder, a camera positioned on a dashboard of the responder'svehicle, or any other camera. In another example, the request forinformation includes a request for a live audio stream, such as a liveaudio stream of sound received by a microphone of the computing device.In another example, the request for information includes a request forother information, such as a location of the computing device, a speedof the computing device or the responder's vehicle, a stress level ofthe responder, biometric data about the responder, or any other kind ofinformation.

At block 212, the computing device determines whether the requestedinformation can be obtained. In some embodiments, the computing devicemay not be able to obtain the information. For example, if the requestedinformation is for biometric data about the responder and there are nobiometric sensors in communication with the computing device, thecomputing device cannot obtain the requested information. In someembodiments, the computing device may have immediate access to therequested information. For example, the requested information may be fora live audio stream and the computing device may already have access tolive audio signals generated by a microphone of the computing device. Inother embodiments, the computing device is able to obtain theinformation by enabling a responder device. In one example, theresponder wears a body camera that begins streaming video when enabledand the computing device enables the body camera to begin streamingvideo. If, at block 212, the computing device determines that therequested information is not available, then, at block 214, thecomputing device informs the dispatch unit computing device that therequested information is not available and the method returns back toblock 202 to monitor for additional inputs. However, if, at block 212,the computing device determines that the requested information can beobtained, then the method proceeds to block 216.

At block 216, the computing device obtains the requested information. Insome embodiments, the computing device obtains the requested informationdirectly from one or more components of the computing device (e.g., amicrophone of the computing device, a camera of the computing device,etc.). In other embodiments, the computing device obtains the requestedinformation from another device in communication with the computingdevice (e.g., a responder device). At block 218, the computing devicesends the obtained information to the dispatch computing device. In oneembodiment, the computing device sends the obtained information to thedispatch computing device via the same network as the computing devicethat sent the indication of the particular event in block 208. Inanother embodiment, the computing device sends the obtained informationto the dispatch computing device via a different network than thecomputing device that sent the indication of the particular event inblock 208, such as in an example where the indication of the particularevent is sent via a cellular network (e.g., 4G, LTE) and the obtainedinformation is sent via another network (e.g., WiFi). After thecomputing device sends the obtained information to the dispatchcomputing device at block 218, the method returns back to block 202 tomonitor for additional inputs.

An embodiment of execution of the method 200 depicted in FIG. 3 isdepicted in FIGS. 4A to 4C. In FIGS. 4A to 4C, the responder 110 has thecomputing device 112 with the communications application 114. Thecomputing device 112 is in communication with the dispatch unitcomputing device 162 at the dispatch unit 160 via the network 102. Theresponder also has a body camera 116 p and a holster sensor 116 q thatare in communication with the computing device 112. In one embodiment,the body camera 116 p is any wearable camera that can capture imagesand/or video while being worn by the responder 110. In one embodiment,the communications application 114 includes instructions that, inresponse to execution by the computing device 112, cause the computingdevice 112 to perform the method 200 depicted in FIG. 3.

In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 4A, the computing device 112 monitorsfor inputs and receives an input in the form of a sound 230. Thecomputing device interprets the sound 230 as the sound of a gunshot andsends an indication 232 that a gunshot has occurred to the dispatch unitcomputing device 162 via the network 102.

In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 4B, the dispatch unit computingdevice 162 sends a request 234 for information to the computing device112 via the network 102. The request 234 for information includes arequest for live video and for the status of the responder's holster.The computing device 112 receives the request 234 for information andsends signals 236 and 238, respectively, to the body camera 116 p andthe holster sensor 116 q. Optionally, the signals 236 and 238 enable thebody camera 116 p and the holster sensor 116 q, respectively. Thesignals 236 and 238 cause the body camera 116 p and the holster sensor116 q, respectively, to provide live streaming video and holster statusinformation to the computing device 112.

In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 4C, the body camera 116 p and theholster sensor 116 q send, respectively, live video 240 and holsterstatus information 242 to the computing device 112. The computing device112 obtains the live video 240 and the holster status information 242from the body camera 116 p and the holster sensor 116 q and sends therequested information 244 to the dispatch unit computing device 162 viathe network 102.

In one example of the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 4A to 4C, the sound230 is the sound of a car backfiring, but the computing device 112determines that the sound 230 is a gunshot. In this example where thesound 230 is the sound of a car backfiring, a dispatcher at the dispatchunit may view the live video 240 indicating a non-emergency situationand the holster status information 242 indicating that the holster isclosed. The dispatcher may then deem the situation to be normal andcontact the responder 110 (e.g., a radio communication system) whenconvenient to ensure that the situation is normal. In another example ofthe embodiment depicted in FIGS. 4A to 4C, the sound 230 is the sound ofa gunshot and the computing device 112 determines that the sound 230 isa gunshot. In this example where the sound 230 is the sound of agunshot, a dispatcher at the dispatch unit may view the live video 240indicating that the responder 110 is running and the holster statusinformation 242 indicating that the holster is open. The dispatcher maythen deem the situation to be an emergency and that additionalresponders need to be dispatched to the location of the responder 110.The embodiment depicted in FIGS. 4A to 4C allows the dispatcher todispatch additional responders without the responder 110 sending a radiocommunication to the dispatch unit 160.

In other embodiments, a dispatch computing device manages multipleresponders by communicating with computing devices of the responders.FIGS. 5A and 5B depict an embodiment of a dispatch computing devicemanaging responders at a location or event. In the embodiment of thelocation 300 depicted in FIG. 5A, a car collision 302 has occurred.Multiple responders are responding to the car collision 302, includingpolice officers 304 a-b, highway patrol officer 306 a, fire fighters 308a-c, and paramedics 310 a-b. Each of the police officers 304 a-b, thehighway patrol officer 306 a, the fire fighters 308 a-c, and theparamedics 310 a-b has a computing device (e.g., computing devices 112,122, 132, 142, and 152). Each of the responders' computing devices is incommunication with a network 312. A dispatch computing device 314 islocated in a dispatch unit 316 that is remote from the location 300 ofthe car collision 302. The dispatch computing device 314 is incommunication with the network 312.

In one embodiment, the dispatch computing device 314 determines that thecomputing devices of the police officers 304 a-b, the highway patrolofficer 306 a, the fire fighters 308 a-c, and the paramedics 310 a-b arelocated in proximity to the location 300 and/or the car collision 302(i.e., an event). In one example, the computing devices of the policeofficers 304 a-b, the highway patrol officer 306 a, the fire fighters308 a-c, and the paramedics 310 a-b periodically send indications oftheir locations to the dispatch computing device 314 via the network 312and the dispatch computing device 314 determines the proximity of thecomputing devices to the location or event based on the last-reportedlocation of each computing device. In another example, the dispatchcomputing device 314 requests that computing devices of responders incommunication with the network 312 report their location prior to thedispatch computing device 314 determining which computing devices are inproximity to the location or event.

In another embodiment, the dispatch computing device 314 determines ahierarchy of the police officers 304 a-b, the highway patrol officer 306a, the fire fighters 308 a-c, and the paramedics 310 a-b in proximity tothe car collision 302. One example of a hierarchy determined by thedispatch computing device 314 is depicted in FIG. 5B. In the depictedembodiment, the police officer 304 a is at the top level of thehierarchy. The police officer 304 b, the highway patrol officer 306 a,and the fire fighter 308 a are at the second level of the hierarchy andreport to the police officer 304 a. The fire fighters 308 b-c and theparamedics 310 a-b are at the third level of the hierarchy and report tothe fire fighter 308 a. In some embodiments, the determined hierarchy isbased on one or more of a seniority of the responders at the location, atask occurring at the particular location, a responder agency associatedwith each of the responders, and the like.

The dispatch computing device 314 sends an indication of the hierarchyto each of the computing devices of the police officers 304 a-b, thehighway patrol officer 306 a, the fire fighters 308 a-c, and theparamedics 310 a-b. The computing devices of the police officers 304a-b, the highway patrol officer 306 a, the fire fighters 308 a-c, andthe paramedics 310 a-b are configured to communicate with each other viaan established communication link (e.g., via the network 312) based onthe hierarchy received from the dispatch computing device. For example,using the hierarchy depicted in FIG. 5B, communications from thecomputing device of the police officer 304 a are given the highestpriority among communications between the police officers 304 a-b, thehighway patrol officer 306 a, the fire fighters 308 a-c, and theparamedics 310 a-b. In one example, an audio message communication bythe police officer 304 a (e.g., a live audio voice message) via thecommunication link interrupts any other audio message communication sentby one of the police officer 304 b, the highway patrol officer 306 a,the fire fighters 308 a-c, and the paramedics 310 a-b.

The creation and transmission of the hierarchy of responders allows adispatch unit to create the hierarchy and inform the responder computingdevices of the hierarchy without input from responders. This allows theresponders to focus on the tasks they are doing without first takingtime to establish a hierarchy of those responders at the location orevent. This creation of the hierarchy and informing the respondercomputing devices of the hierarchy may especially be helpful whenresponders from different responder agencies (e.g., police officers froma police department, fire fighters from a fire department, etc.) are ata particular location or event. Similarly, the creation of the hierarchyand informing the responder computing devices of the hierarchy may behelpful when responders from different organizations of a responderagency (e.g., fire fighters from one fire house of a fire department andfire fighters from another fire house of the fire department, policeofficers from a police department and detectives from the policedepartment, etc.) are at a particular location or event.

In some embodiments, once a communication link has been establishedamong the police officers 304 a-b, the highway patrol officer 306 a, thefire fighters 308 a-c, and the paramedics 310 a-b, a subset of thoseresponders may be selected for sending specific information. In oneexample, the dispatch computing device 314 receives an indication fromthe dispatcher of a subset of the police officers 304 a-b, the highwaypatrol officer 306 a, the fire fighters 308 a-c, and the paramedics 310a-b that includes the fire fighters 308 a-c and the paramedics 310 a-band the dispatch computing device 314 sends information to that subsetof responders. Such a subset may be useful for sending informationrelated to medical care of people in the car collision 302, such asavailability of local hospitals, medical information about the people inthe car collision 302, etc. In another example, the dispatch computingdevice 314 receives an indication of a subset of the police officers 304a-b, the highway patrol officer 306 a, the fire fighters 308 a-c, andthe paramedics 310 a-b that includes the police officer 304 a and thefire fighter 308 a, and the dispatch computing device 314 sendsinformation to that subset of responders. Such a subset may be usefulfor sending information related to those responders that oversee otherresponders at the location 300 of the car collision 302.

An embodiment of a method 400 performed by dispatch computing device(e.g., dispatch computing device 314) to manage a plurality ofresponders is depicted in FIG. 6. At block 402, the dispatch computingdevice determines that the computing devices of the plurality ofresponders are located in proximity to a location or event. In someembodiments, the responders in the plurality of responders are from thesame responder agency, from different responder agencies, from differentorganizations of a responder agency, and the like. At block 404, thedispatch computing device determines a hierarchy of the plurality ofresponders. In some embodiments, the determined hierarchy is based onone or more of a seniority of the responders at the location, a taskoccurring at the particular location, a responder agency associated witheach of the responders, and the like.

At block 406, the dispatch computing device sends an indication of thehierarchy to computing devices of each of the plurality of responders.In one example, the dispatch computing device sends the indication ofthe hierarchy via a network, such as a cellular network, a WiFi network,a local area network, any other network, or any combination thereof. Atblock 408, the dispatch computing device establishes a communicationlink between the computing devices of the plurality of responders wherethe computing devices of the plurality of responders are configured tocommunicate with each other via the communication link based on thehierarchy received from the dispatch computing device. In someembodiments, the computing devices of the plurality of responderscommunicate with each other via the communication link based on thehierarchy by giving priority to communications received from computingdevices of responders that are higher in the hierarchy. In someembodiments, the communication links described herein are peer-to-peercommunication links. In other embodiments, the communication linksdescribed herein are server-mediated communication links. In otherembodiments, the communication links described herein use one or moreprotocols, such as the internet protocol, mobile telephony protocols,push-to-talk over cellular protocols, and the like.

In some embodiments, management of responders by a dispatch computingdevice is aided by biometric data about the responders. FIG. 7 depictsan embodiment of a system 500 for providing biometric data to a dispatchcomputing device. In the depicted embodiment, the responder 110 has thecomputing device 112 with the communications application 114. Thecomputing device 112 is in communication with the dispatch computingdevice 162 at the dispatch unit 160 via the network 102. The responderalso has a blood pressure monitor 116 x and a heart rate monitor 116 ythat are in communication with the computing device 112. The bloodpressure monitor 116 x is configured to generate a signal indicative ofa blood pressure of the responder 110 and the heart rate monitor 116 yis configured to generate a signal indicative of a heart rate of theresponder 110. While the particular embodiment shown in FIG. 7 includesthe blood pressure monitor 116 x and the heart rate monitor 116 y, otherembodiments may include one or more biometric data sensors, such as oneor more of a blood pressure monitor, a heart rate monitor, a blood flowmonitor, a blood oxygen level monitor, a respiratory rate monitor, abrain wave monitor, body temperature monitor, and the like.

The computing device 112 receives a blood pressure signal 502 from theblood pressure monitor 116 x and a heart rate signal 504 from the heartrate monitor 116 y. The computing device 112 sends biometric data 506 tothe dispatch computing device 162 via the network 102. The biometricdata 506 includes indications of the blood pressure signal 502 and theheart rate signal 504 received from the blood pressure monitor 116 x andthe heart rate monitor 116 y, respectively. In one embodiment, thecommunications application 114 includes instructions that, in responseto execution by the computing device 112, cause the computing device 112to obtain the blood pressure signal 502 and the heart rate signal 504and to send the biometric data 506. In some embodiments, the computingdevice 112 sends the biometric data 506 to the dispatch computing device162 on a periodic basis, when requested by the dispatch computing device162, when requested by a user input to the computing device 112, or anycombination thereof.

An embodiment of a dispatch computing device using biometric data aboutresponders to manage the responders is depicted in FIGS. 8A and 8B. Inthe embodiment shown in FIG. 8A, a map 510 depicts a location of anincident 512 and locations of responders 514 a-c. Each of the responders514 a-c has a computing device. Also depicted is a dispatch unit 516that includes a dispatch computing device 518. Each of the computingdevices of the responders 514 a-c and the dispatch computing device 518of the dispatch unit 516 is in communication with a network 520.

In one embodiment, the computing devices of the responders 514 a-cobtain biometric data about the responders 514 a-c and send thebiometric data to the dispatch computing device 518 via the network 520.In some examples, the computing devices of the responders 514 a-c sendthe biometric data to the dispatch computing device 518 on a periodicbasis, in response to a request from the dispatch computing device 518,in response to a user input on the computing devices, or at any othertime. In one embodiment, the dispatch computing device 518 determines astress level of each of the responders 514 a-c based on the biometricdata received from the computing devices of the responders 514 a-c.

In one embodiment depicted in FIG. 8B, the dispatch computing device 518maintains a chart 522 of stress levels of the responders 514 a-c overtime. More specifically, the chart 522 includes indication of stresslevels 524 a-c corresponding to the responders 514 a-c, respectively.The chart 522 in FIG. 8B also includes a stress threshold level 526. Insome embodiments, responders are dispatched based on a level of stressof the responders against the stress threshold level 526. For example,at the time 528 depicted in FIG. 8B, a dispatcher determines to dispatchtwo responders to the incident 512 depicted in FIG. 8A. As shown in FIG.8A, responders 514 a and 514 b are the closest responders to theincident. However, as shown in FIG. 8B, the stress level 524 b of theresponder 514 b is above the stress threshold level 526 at the time 528that the dispatcher is dispatching officers to the incident 512. In thiscase, the dispatcher determines to dispatch responders 514 a and 514 cto the incident because, even though responder 514 b is closer to theincident than the responder 514 c, the respective stress levels 524 aand 524 c of the responders 514 a and 514 c are below the stressthreshold level 526 at the time 528. In one embodiment, the dispatchcomputing device 518 displays the chart 522 or some other indication ofthe stress level of the responders 514 a-c to a dispatcher on a displaydevice to aid the dispatcher in making decisions about dispatch of theofficers 514 a-c.

Another embodiment of a system 600 that displays information for use bya dispatcher is depicted in FIG. 9. The system 600 includes a dispatchcomputing device 602 coupled to a display device 604. In some examples,the display device 604 includes one or more of a monitor, a television,a touchscreen display, a projector, or any other display device. In oneembodiment, the dispatch computing device 602 receives information fromcomputing devices of a number of responders. In some embodiments, theinformation received by the dispatch computing device 602 from theresponder computing devices includes one or more of locationinformation, biometric information, responder device status information,and the like.

In one embodiment, the dispatch computing device 602 includesinstructions that, in response to being executed by the dispatchcomputing device 602, cause the dispatch computing device 602 todisplay, on the display device 604, status listings 606 a-n. The statuslistings 606 a-n include a status of each of a plurality of responders.In some embodiments, the status listings 606 a-n include at least one ofan indication of whether the responder is in or out of a vehicle, anindication of a stress level of the responder, an indication of whethera light bar of the responder's vehicle is active, an indication of theresponder's availability to respond to an incident, or any otherinformation. In some embodiments, the status listings 606 a-n arecolored based on the statuses of the responders (e.g., green foravailable, orange for under stress, red if a weapon is drawn, blue if alight bar is active, etc.). Coloring status listings 606 a-n may aid adispatcher in quickly determining the statuses of the responders.

In another embodiment, as depicted in FIG. 9, the dispatch computingdevice 602 causes the display device 604 to display a map 608 at thesame time as the status listings 606 a-n are displayed. The map 608includes indications 610 a-d of locations of computing devices ofresponders. In one example, the indications 610 a-d of locations ofcomputing devices of responders correspond, respectively, with thestatus listings 606 a-d of responders. Such a display on the displaydevice 604 may allow a dispatcher to quickly determine how to dispatchresponders based on a combination of location and status. While thedisplay device 604 depicted in FIG. 9 is a single display device, inother embodiments, the computing device displays information on multipledisplay devices (e.g., the status listings 606 a-n depicted on a firstdisplay device and the map 608 depicted on a second display device).

Another embodiment of a dispatch computing device used to manageresponders is depicted in FIGS. 10A to 10C. Depicted in FIGS. 10A to 10Cis a map 700 with an indication of a location of a responder 702, adispatch unit 704 with a dispatch computing device 706, a remotelocation 708 with a computing device 710 and a responder 711. Theresponder 702 has a computing device. The computing device of theresponder 702, the dispatch computing device 706, and the computingdevice 710 are configured to communicate with each other via the network712. In the particular example depicted herein the responder 711 is asupervisor of the responder 702.

In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 10A, the first responder 702 sends arequest 714 from the computing device of the responder 702 to thedispatch computing device 706 via the network. In this particularembodiment, the request 714 is a request to activate cameras within ageographic range 730. In the example shown in FIG. 10A, the geographicrange 730 is defined by a particular radius around the responder 702. Anumber of cameras are located within the geographic range 730, includinga body camera 716 on a responder, a dash camera 718 in a respondervehicle, and security cameras 720 a-b on buildings 722 a-b. In oneembodiment, the body camera 716, the dash camera 718, and the securitycameras 720 a-b are all of the cameras that can be activated by thedispatch computing device 706, but they may not be the only cameraswithin the geographic range.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10B, the dispatch computing device 706sends activation signals 724 a-d to the body camera 716, the dash camera718, and the security cameras 720 a-b via the network 712. Each of thebody camera 716, the dash camera 718, and the security cameras 720 a-bis configured to activate and begin streaming video in response toreceiving one of the activation signals 724 a-d. In one embodiment, thebody camera 716, the dash camera 718, and the security cameras 720 a-bstream video back to the dispatch computing device 706 and the dispatchcomputing device 706 sends one or more of the video stream to thecomputing device of the responder 702. In another embodiment, the bodycamera 716, the dash camera 718, and the security cameras 720 a-b streamvideo directly to the computing device of the responder 702. In bothembodiments, the responder 702 receives streamed video from one or moreof the cameras within the geographic area 730, which permits theresponder 702 to see events happening in other areas within thegeographic area 730.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10C, the dispatch computing device 706sends a notification 726 a to the computing device 710 via the network712. The notification 726 a is sent in response to the dispatchcomputing device 706 receiving the request 714 from the computing deviceof the responder 702. The notification 726 a informs the supervisoryresponder 711 that the responder 702 requested activation of cameras inthe geographic range 730. In one embodiment, the notification 726 aincludes a video stream of the cameras requested by the responder 702.In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10C, the dispatch computing device 706also sends a notification 726 b to a computing device of the responderassociated with body camera 716 via the network 712. The notification726 b is sent in response to the dispatch computing device 706 receivingthe request 714 from the computing device of the responder 702. Thenotification 726 b informs the responder that the responder 702requested activation of cameras in the geographic range 730. In oneembodiment, the notification 726 b includes a video stream of thecameras requested by the responder 702. In the case where the responderassociated with the body camera 716 is a partner of the responder 702,the sending of the request 714 by the responder 702 results in thenotification 726 b being sent to the partner of the responder 702. Thenotification 726 b may signal that the responder 702 requires assistanceeven if the responder 702 and the partner of the responder 702 are notclose enough to see or speak to each other.

Unless otherwise specified in the context of specific examples,described techniques and tools may be implemented by any suitablecomputing device or set of computing devices.

In any of the described examples, a data store contains data asdescribed herein and may be hosted, for example, by a databasemanagement system (DBMS) to allow a high level of data throughputbetween the data store and other components of a described system. TheDBMS may also allow the data store to be reliably backed up and tomaintain a high level of availability. For example, a data store may beaccessed by other system components via a network, such as a privatenetwork in the vicinity of the system, a secured transmission channelover the public Internet, a combination of private and public networks,and the like. Instead of or in addition to a DBMS, a data store mayinclude structured data stored as files in a traditional file system.Data stores may reside on computing devices that are part of or separatefrom components of systems described herein. Separate data stores may becombined into a single data store, or a single data store may be splitinto two or more separate data stores.

Some of the functionality described herein may be implemented in thecontext of a client-server relationship. In this context, server devicesmay include suitable computing devices configured to provide informationand/or services described herein. Server devices may include anysuitable computing devices, such as dedicated server devices. Serverfunctionality provided by server devices may, in some cases, be providedby software (e.g., virtualized computing instances or applicationobjects) executing on a computing device that is not a dedicated serverdevice. The term “client” can be used to refer to a computing devicethat obtains information and/or accesses services provided by a serverover a communication link. However, the designation of a particulardevice as a client device does not necessarily require the presence of aserver. At various times, a single device may act as a server, a client,or both a server and a client, depending on context and configuration.Actual physical locations of clients and servers are not necessarilyimportant, but the locations can be described as “local” for a clientand “remote” for a server to illustrate a common usage scenario in whicha client is receiving information provided by a server at a remotelocation.

FIG. 11 depicts a block diagram that illustrates aspects of anillustrative computing device 800 appropriate for use in accordance withembodiments of the present disclosure. The description below isapplicable to servers, personal computers, mobile phones, smart phones,tablet computers, embedded computing devices, and other currentlyavailable or yet to be developed devices that may be used in accordancewith embodiments of the present disclosure.

In its most basic configuration, the computing device 800 includes atleast one processor 802 and a system memory 804 connected by acommunication bus 806. Depending on the exact configuration and type ofdevice, the system memory 804 may be volatile or nonvolatile memory,such as read only memory (“ROM”), random access memory (“RAM”), EEPROM,flash memory, or other memory technology. Those of ordinary skill in theart and others will recognize that system memory 804 typically storesdata and/or program modules that are immediately accessible to and/orcurrently being operated on by the processor 802. In this regard, theprocessor 802 may serve as a computational center of the computingdevice 800 by supporting the execution of instructions.

As further illustrated in FIG. 11, the computing device 800 may includea network interface 810 comprising one or more components forcommunicating with other devices over a network. Embodiments of thepresent disclosure may access basic services that utilize the networkinterface 810 to perform communications using common network protocols.The network interface 810 may also include a wireless network interfaceconfigured to communicate via one or more wireless communicationprotocols, such as WiFi, 2G, 3G, 4G, LTE, WiMAX, Bluetooth, and/or thelike.

In the illustrative embodiment depicted in FIG. 11, the computing device800 also includes a storage medium 808. However, services may beaccessed using a computing device that does not include means forpersisting data to a local storage medium. Therefore, the storage medium808 depicted in FIG. 11 is optional. In any event, the storage medium808 may be volatile or nonvolatile, removable or nonremovable,implemented using any technology capable of storing information such as,but not limited to, a hard drive, solid state drive, CD ROM, DVD, orother disk storage, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage, and/or thelike.

As used herein, the term “computer readable medium” includes volatileand nonvolatile and removable and nonremovable media implemented in anymethod or technology capable of storing information, such as computerreadable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data.In this regard, the system memory 804 and storage medium 808 depicted inFIG. 11 are examples of computer readable media.

For ease of illustration and because it is not important for anunderstanding of the claimed subject matter, FIG. 11 does not show someof the typical components of many computing devices. In this regard, thecomputing device 800 may include input devices, such as a keyboard,keypad, mouse, trackball, microphone, video camera, touchpad,touchscreen, electronic pen, stylus, and/or the like. Such input devicesmay be coupled to the computing device 800 by wired or wirelessconnections including RF, infrared, serial, parallel, Bluetooth, USB, orother suitable connection protocols using wireless or physicalconnections.

In any of the described examples, data can be captured by input devicesand transmitted or stored for future processing. The processing mayinclude encoding data streams, which can be subsequently decoded forpresentation by output devices. Media data can be captured by multimediainput devices and stored by saving media data streams as files on acomputer readable storage medium (e.g., in memory or persistent storageon a client device, server, administrator device, or some other device).Input devices can be separate from and communicatively coupled tocomputing device 800 (e.g., a client device), or can be integralcomponents of the computing device 800. In some embodiments, multipleinput devices may be combined into a single, multifunction input device(e.g., a video camera with an integrated microphone). The computingdevice 800 may also include output devices such as a display, speakers,printer, etc. The output devices may include video output devices suchas a display or touchscreen. The output devices also may include audiooutput devices such as external speakers or earphones. The outputdevices can be separate from and communicatively coupled to thecomputing device 800, or can be integral components of the computingdevice 800. Input functionality and output functionality may beintegrated into the same input/output device (e.g., a touchscreen). Anysuitable input device, output device, or combined input/output deviceeither currently known or developed in the future may be used withdescribed systems.

In general, functionality of computing devices described herein may beimplemented in computing logic embodied in hardware or softwareinstructions, which can be written in a programming language, such as C,C++, COBOL, JAVA™, PHP, Perl, Python, Ruby, HTML, CSS, JavaScript,VBScript, ASPX, Microsoft .NET™ languages such as C#, and/or the like.Computing logic may be compiled into executable programs or written ininterpreted programming languages. Generally, functionality describedherein can be implemented as logic modules that can be duplicated toprovide greater processing capability, merged with other modules, ordivided into sub modules. The computing logic can be stored in any typeof computer readable medium (e.g., a non-transitory medium such as amemory or storage medium) or computer storage device and be stored onand executed by one or more general purpose or special purposeprocessors, thus creating a special purpose computing device configuredto provide functionality described herein.

Many alternatives to the systems and devices described herein arepossible. For example, individual modules or subsystems can be separatedinto additional modules or subsystems or combined into fewer modules orsubsystems. As another example, modules or subsystems can be omitted orsupplemented with other modules or subsystems. As another example,functions that are indicated as being performed by a particular device,module, or subsystem may instead be performed by one or more otherdevices, modules, or subsystems. Although some examples in the presentdisclosure include descriptions of devices comprising specific hardwarecomponents in specific arrangements, techniques and tools describedherein can be modified to accommodate different hardware components,combinations, or arrangements. Further, although some examples in thepresent disclosure include descriptions of specific usage scenarios,techniques and tools described herein can be modified to accommodatedifferent usage scenarios. Functionality that is described as beingimplemented in software can instead be implemented in hardware, or viceversa.

Many alternatives to the techniques described herein are possible. Forexample, processing stages in the various techniques can be separatedinto additional stages or combined into fewer stages. As anotherexample, processing stages in the various techniques can be omitted orsupplemented with other techniques or processing stages. As anotherexample, processing stages that are described as occurring in aparticular order can instead occur in a different order. As anotherexample, processing stages that are described as being performed in aseries of steps may instead be handled in a parallel fashion, withmultiple modules or software processes concurrently handling one or moreof the illustrated processing stages. As another example, processingstages that are indicated as being performed by a particular device ormodule may instead be performed by one or more other devices or modules.

Embodiments disclosed herein include a computer-implemented method forperforming one or more of the above-described techniques; a computingdevice comprising a processor and computer readable storage media havingstored thereon computer-executable instructions configured to cause theserver computer to perform one or more of the above-describedtechniques; a computer readable storage medium having stored thereoncomputer-executable instructions configured to cause a computing deviceto perform one or more of the above-described techniques; a computingsystem comprising a server that provides one or more of theabove-described services. The computer system may further compriseplural client computing devices; and a client computing device incommunication with a server that provides one or more of theabove-described services, the client computing device comprising aprocessing unit and computer readable storage media having storedthereon computer-executable instructions configured to cause the clientcomputing device to perform one or more of the above-describedtechniques.

The principles, representative embodiments, and modes of operation ofthe present disclosure have been described in the foregoing description.However, aspects of the present disclosure which are intended to beprotected are not to be construed as limited to the particularembodiments disclosed. Further, the embodiments described herein are tobe regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. It will beappreciated that variations and changes may be made by others, andequivalents employed, without departing from the spirit of the presentdisclosure. Accordingly, it is expressly intended that all suchvariations, changes, and equivalents fall within the spirit and scope ofthe claimed subject matter.

While illustrative embodiments have been illustrated and described, itwill be appreciated that various changes can be made therein withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:
 1. A method of automatedcommunication between a computing device of a responder and a computingdevice of a dispatch unit, the method performed by the computing deviceof the responder, the method comprising: determining that an event hasoccurred, the event is associated with the responder; in response todetermining that the event occurred, automatically sending an indicationof the event to the computing device of the dispatch unit; receiving,from the computing device of the dispatch unit, a request forinformation, the computing device of the dispatch unit is configured tosend the request for information in response to receiving the indicationof the event; obtaining the requested information; and sending therequested information to the computing device of the dispatch unit. 2.The method of claim 1 wherein the requested information includes livevideo; and sending the requested information includes streaming the livevideo from the computing device of the responder to the computing deviceof the dispatch unit.
 3. The method of claim 2 wherein obtaining therequested information includes enabling a camera associated with theresponder; and receiving the live video from the enabled camera.
 4. Themethod of claim 1 further comprising: adding metadata to the requestedinformation prior to sending the requested information.
 5. The method ofclaim 4 wherein the metadata includes one or more of a dispatch recordnumber, an identifier of a responder agency, a location, or a categoryof the requested information.
 6. The method of claim 1 furthercomprising: receiving a request to enable or disable at least oneresponder device associated with the responder; determining that therequest to enable or disable the at least one responder device was sentby an authorized sender; and enabling or disabling the at least oneresponder device.
 7. The method of claim 6 wherein the at least oneresponder device includes at least one of a camera, a microphone, aweapon, a light bar, and a safety device.
 8. The method of claim 1wherein the event includes one or more of a heart rate of the responderexceeding a threshold, a safety device being disabled, a gunshot soundbeing detected, the responder being determined to be nonresponsive, theresponder pressing a panic button, the responder entering informationinto the computing device of the responder, or the computing device ofthe responder arriving at a particular location or event.
 9. A computingdevice for communicating between a responder and a dispatch unit, thecomputing device comprising: a processor; and a memory havinginstructions stored thereon, wherein the instructions, in response toexecution by the processor, cause the computing device to: determinethat an event has occurred, the event is associated with the responder;automatically send an indication of the event to a dispatch computingdevice in response to determining that the event has occurred; receive,from the dispatch computing device, a request for information, thedispatch computing device is configured to send the request forinformation in response to receiving the indication of the event; obtainthe information requested; and send the information requested.
 10. Thecomputing device of claim 9 wherein to determine that the event hasoccurred, the processor executes instructions to assess at least one ofa source and a value of a signal from a responder device to determinewhether an event has occurred.
 11. The computing device of claim 9wherein to obtain the information, the processor executes instructionsto obtain the information from at least one of a responder device and acomponent of the computing device.
 12. The computing device of claim 9wherein to obtain the information, the processor executes instructionsto: enable at least one of a responder device and a component of thecomputing device to capture the information; and receive the capturedinformation.
 13. A method performed by a computing device carried by aresponder for communicating with a dispatch unit, the method comprising:receiving a signal from at least one of a responder device and acomponent of the computing device; determining whether the signalindicates that an event has occurred; in response to determining thatthe event has occurred, transmitting a message indicating that the eventhas occurred; in response to transmitting the message, receiving a firstrequest for information from a computing device of the dispatch unit;obtaining the information identified in the first request; andtransmitting the information.
 14. The method of claim 13 whereindetermining comprises assessing at least one of a source and a value ofthe signal to determine whether the signal indicates that an emergencyevent has occurred.
 15. The method of claim 13 wherein obtainingcomprises receiving the information from at least one of the responderdevice and the component of the computing device.
 16. The method ofclaim 15 wherein obtaining comprises: enabling at least one of theresponder device and the component of the computing device to capturethe information; and receiving the captured information.
 17. The methodof claim 15 wherein: the at least one responder device and the componentof the computing device comprises a camera; and the informationcomprises streaming video.
 18. The method of claim 13 furthercomprising: receiving a second request to enable or disable the at leastone of the responder device and the component of the computing device;determining that the second request was sent by an authorized sender;and in accordance with determining, enabling or disabling the at leastone of the responder device and the component of the computing device.19. The method of claim 18 wherein the at least one responder deviceincludes at least one of a camera, a microphone, a weapon, a light bar,or a safety device.